Ink receptacle for filling fountain pens



March 16 1926. 1,577,067

0. F. NILSSON ET AL INK RECEPTACLE FOR FILLING FOUNTAIN PENS Filed May 1 19, 1921 H "WW Wwggmom Y Z ATT N EY.,

Patented Mar.

, UNITED STATES 1,577,061 PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR r. NILSSON AND JOSEPH BACHRACH, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

- INK RECEPTACLE FOR FILLING FOUNTAIN PENS.

Application filed May 19, i921. Serial No. 470,969.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, OSCAR F. NILSSON' and JOSEPH BACHRACH, both citizens of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ink Receptacles for Filling Fountain Pens, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to recep tacles for ink and by means of which fountain pens can be filled quickly and with facility and without soiling the end of the penholder, and particularly the invention relates to ink receptacles constructed and adapted to facilitate the filling of fountain pens and the use of other pens, without submerging the end of the holder or smearing the latter with ink.

Among the objects of our invention may be noted the following: to provide an inkwell, receptacle or container embodying a structure by means of which fountain pens may be filled and other pens may be dipped without entering the pen-point too far into the fluid, submerging the end of the holder, or soiling the holder in any manner during the filling or dipping of the pen; to provide av means by which fountain pens Tnay be filled quickly, with facility and with cleanliness, and which overcomes all the objections heretofore experienced in filling fountain pens; to provide an ink-well, receptacle, or container with means by which a fountain pen can be filled by limiting its entrance into the receptacle, or by limiting the depth to which the pen-point may be dipped into the fluid, or by limiting the descent of the holder into the well for the purpose of pumping the ink into the same; to provide an attachment for ink bottles. ink-wells or other containers by means of which fountain pens can be filled without soiling the holder andb tent to which the pen-point may be dipped into the container; to provide an ink-well or container having the characteristics above noted which can be temporarily closed for packing, transportation, or handling in such manner as to prevent spilling of the ink or leakage thereof from the container; and to provide certain details of construction adapted to secure the objects noted in the foregoing which are simple, economical to produce, and result in a compact article of manufacture.

limiting the ex- With the foregoing objects in view" and others which will be detailed during the course of this description, our invention consists in the parts, features, elements and combinations thereof hereinafter described and claimed. a

In order that our invention may be clearly understood, we have provided drawings wherein: a

Figure l is a top plan view of a receptacle or container having structural features embodying our invention;

, Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Figure -1 showing the details of construction and with a closure added thereto;

Figure 3 is a viewsimilar to Figure 2 showing another form of our invention;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing still another form of our invention;

Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, are plan views of different forms of the support, which are applicable to the receptacle of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and which are adapted to act as a support for the pen-holder, or

regulator or limiting meansfor the entrance of the pen-point to the fluid contained in the receptacle.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the penpoint limiting means shown in Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view in vertical central section of a form of our invention embodied in a cylindrical receptacle;

Figure 12 is a section approximately on the line 1212 of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is an elevation of the stopper or closure for the form of our invention shown in Figure 11.

Referring to the drawings and, particularly, to Figures 1, 2' and 8, the body of the receptacle is indicated at l and is shown to be in form substantially rectangular and of the fountain type of ink-well. The body of the ink-well is reduced at 2 to form a neck or connection with the circular or cylindrical portion 3. The bottom of "the body portion is raised or depressed, as at 4, the surrounding flange 5, together with the bottom 6 of the cylindrical portion 3, af-

fording the support or base upon which the ink-well is set for operation. The body portion 1 is provided with a large supply chamber 7, and the cylindrical portion 3 is provided with a smaller and deeper well portion 8, there being a narrow inclined passage 9 between the said well 8 and the supplychamber 7. The cylindrical portion 3 is provided with an interior shoulder 10 terminating at the passage 9 in an angular lip 11 depending into the passage 9 at the level of the said shoulder 10 and considerably be low the bottom 12 of the chamber 7, said bottom being inclined upwardly from the well 8 to the rear of the chamber 7. This disposition of the lip 11, relatively to the bottom of the chamber and the shoulder of the well, provides for the passage 'of air between the well and the chamber, and the maintenance of the proper level of the fluid in the well. Seated upon the shoulder 10 and held there by any suitable means, is the rest or support 13 referably, in this form of our invention, of the structure shown in Figure 8. The support 13 is in the form of a disk with an open-end, elongated slot 14;,

and the disk is set upon the shoulder so that the open end of the slot 14. will terminate at the passage 9 and adjacent the lip 11. The open end of the slot- 14 cooperates with the lip 11 to admit air through the passage 9 when the liquid is sucked up from the well during the operation of pumping ink into the holder, or during the operation of applying ink to the pen-point. The rest or support 13 is adapted to support the end of the holder and prevent the latter from entering or being soiled by the ink, and the slot 14 is for the purpose of admitting the pen-point to the roper depth in the well The slot 14.- is of a size adapted to admit any size of pen-point and will prevent the end of the holder from passing therethrough into the liquid contained in the well. The rest,13 thus provides a firm and substantial support on which to rest and steady the end of the holder, when it is desired to fill or refill the same with ink, and prevents the end of the holder from enter- ,mg the well 8 during the operation of umping or sucking the ink into the peniiolder. The support 13 is a positive stop which limits the movement of the holder into the well.

In this form of our invention the upper end of the cylindrical ortion 3 is enlarged, as at 15, and provided with screw-threads, on which may be turned a cap or cover 16 provided with a large circular opening 17, am le for the admission of the pen-holder in ipping the same into the well and into engagement with the support 13. For transportation or carriage or packing with liquid in the receptacle, a closure 18 may be clamped between the enlarged end 15 and the ca 16, thus preventing leakage or spilling 0 the contents. If desired, the well may be closed by forcing an ordinary cork sto per thereinto.

he receptacle may be formed of glass b molding or casting, though we do not wis.

to limit our invention to this material or The rest or support 13 to a position slightly above the bottom of the support, entering the slot 14 in the latter. the pen at the proper level for pumping or sucking into the holder by medium of the usual filling means without/soiling the end of the holder. This form of our invention is not only adapted for filling fountain pens, but can also used for ordinar pens, since the pen-point can be passed t-irou h the slot 14; to the fullest extent necessary or taking up the ink, while the end of the holder will come to rest upon the support and will not be soiled or dipped into the ink, thus avoiding soiling the fingers. the other hand, the fountain pen can be properly, readily and quickly filled and kept clean in the manner indicated, since the ink is maintained at a constant level in the well 8 and the pen cannot suck air.

In the form of our invention shown in Figure 3, the receptacle is the same, in all material respects, as that shown in Figures 1 and 2, and like parts are indicated by similar reference characters. In this form of our invention, we have provided a penpoint limiting device such as shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10, and indicated by 19, the same being made of hard rubber or other suitable material or composition which may be found not to corrode or absorb the ink.- The limiting device 19 is preferably cylindrical and of a size to snugly fit the well 8, and its upper surface is provided with a plurality of corrugations 20 forming hills and dales of varying height and depth. The variation in the height of the hills and depth of the dales is for the purpose of accommodating varying sizes 01:

This results in supplying the ink to e lengths of pen-points; and the user, desiring so as to enter the deepest of the dales, and a short pen-point will e inserted in the well so as to enter the shallowest of the dales. Varying lengths of pen-points can thus be so inserted as to avoid di ping the end of the holder into the liqui 'and soiling the the fingers, in use.

'dales shall receive the pen-point, according to the length of the latter, thus avoiding dipping the end of the holder into the liquid, soiling the same, and, consequently,

This form of our invcntion is provided especially for holders having a small end or shoulder and carrying a large or broad pen-point. For transportation, if desired, the cap 16 and closure 18 can be applied and the cap can also be applied, if desired, during the use of the ink-well, as sliownin Figure 1. In this form of our invention the rest or support 13 is not required.

In the form of our invention shown in Figure 4:, both the rest or support 13 for the holder and the pen-point limiting device are omitted, the form of the ink-well being the same as in Figures 1 to 3, inclu-' shoulder 1.0 of the well 8, and also below the lip 11 and bottom 12 of the chamber of the ink-well. Consequently, the inner end of the limiting device is below the level of the liquid in the well 8 so that the pen-point may be dipped sufliciently into the liquid to enable the holder to be properly filled without dipping the end of the holder into the liquid or soiling the end of the holder in the filling process. The limiting device is provided with a circumferential flange 23 at its upper end, which rests upon the top of the enlargement 15 of the cylindrical portion 3, and s'aid flange 23, in the use of'the apparatus, is clamped between the enlargement 15 and the cap 16, ,so that the limiting device cannot be pushed into the well. A vent 24 is provided in the flange 23, communicating with the well 8 above the shoulder 10, for the passage of air. For transportation, the closure 18 can be applied under the cap, and it will cover the vent as well as the opening 22. When the holder is inserted in the corrugated passage 22 of the limiting device, it will readily pass down to the extent desired for enabling the pen-point to be entered into the liquid in.

the well for filling purposes, and the corrugations 22 will engagethe circumference of the holder so as to prevent the assage of air between the two. Stylograpl iic and other pens'can be used with this form of our invention, since the tapered passage 22 will permit the entrance of the pen-points and holders to the extent necessary for obtaining a supply of ink.

In the form of our invention shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the general form of the receptacle is that of a usual cylindrical bottle, and the latter is indicated by 25. The

bottom of the bottle is provided with a well. 26 formed by depressing the bottom thereof circumferentially, as at 27, leaving a circumferential flange 28 and producing a central, conical bulge 29. The well 26 is coincident with the neck of the bottle and passage therethrough, and its side walls are inclined, as clearly shown in Figure 11. In the neck of the bottle is inserted a soft-rubber sleeve or lining 30 having a flange 31 which rests upon the top of the neck or flange 32 surrounding the same. A, hard-rubber support is inserted in the passage of the lining 30 and is composed of the elongated, cylindrical portion 33, the upper end of which is provided with a circumferential flange 34 adapted to rest upon the flange 31 of the lining 30 and securely hold the same against the flange 32 of the bottle. Just below its flange 34, the support 33 is provided with screw-threads 35 which are adapted to sink into the soft rubber lining 30 and frictionally hold the two together and wedge the two intothe neck of the bottle. The lower end of the cylindrical body portion is provided with a stop or limiting gland 36 having-an elongated slot 37, of the form of Figure 8, diametrically of. the same, as clearly shown in Figure 12. This form of opening is adopted because it will allow the passage of a large pen-point and prevent the passage of a small holder end. The cylindrical member 33 is sufliciently long to enable its lower end to enter the ink in the bottle and terminate substantially at the upper end of the well 26 or just below the level of the bottom 38 of the bottle. The diametric slot 37 leaves lips at opposite ends depending into the passage leading into the well 26, functioning the same as the lip 11 in the form of Figures 1 to 4. The conical form of the well 26 is adapted to permit the longest pen, as well as the shortest pen, to dip thereinto without engagement with the walls of the well, regardless of the size of the end of the holder, the insertion of which is positively limited by the support 36. If desired, the limiting device 33 may be applied to bottles, the bottom of which is slightly depressed or convexed inwardly, as shown by dotted lines 39, this being a conventional form of ink bottle and it being a part of our invention to utilize any ordinary form of ink bottle and apply our limiting means thereto. For transportation or packing, a stopper or closure, such as shown in Figure 13, may be employed, the head 40 and neck 41 being of usual form and type, and composed of wood or cork, or both, as may be desired. The elongated extension 42 of the stopper is made of any suitable material, such as hard rubber, cork or wood, and is intended to be inserted in the limiting member 33 substantially into -engagement with the support 36, thus preventing the ink from getting into the tubular portion of the member 33. The body portion 42 is provided with a long groove 43 extending from its end to the circu1nferential groove 4d, the same acting as a vent for the escape of air when the stopper is forced into place as a closure and enabling air to enter the support when the stopper is removed to prevent the liquid from being drawn into the support, the latter being thus kept clean.

For use in connection with the receptacle of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, we have shown, in Figures 5, 6 and 7, alternative forms of rests or supports for the ends of the holders. The support of Figure 5 is provided with a substantially oval opening 45, and with a flat or slabbed portion 46, the latter being adapted for cooperation with the lip 11 and passage 9 of the ink-well, for the purpose of allowing the passage of air, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 8. The oval form of the opening 45 is adapted to permit the passage of any size pen-point and prevent the passage of the smallest terminal end of a holder. In the form of Figure 6, the passage 47 is approximately pear-shaped and has the same functions as the passage 45 in Figure 5, and this form of support also requires the slabbed side 48 for cooperation with the lip 11 and passage 9. In the form of Figure 7, the disk is provided with a large aperture 49 and a comparatively small aperture 50 separated by a bridge 51. This form of support does not require a slabhed side, since one of the apertures, which is not in use, will permit the passage of air in cooperation with the lip 11 and passage 9 of the ink-well. The large and small apertures are adapted to accommodate all sizes of pen-points and to prevent the passage of all sizes of holder ends.

In all the forms of our invention, it will be seen that we have provided a receptacle having a chamber adapted to hold a large quantity of liquid, which communicates with a well adapted to hold a comparatively smaller quantity of liquid. Also, that we have provided a rest, or support, or limiting means, acting as a positive stop, at the end of a cylindrical portion for the reception of a pen-point, and which affords a rest or support for the end of the holder, or for the pen-point. Also, that a closure is provided at the entrance end of the device or cylindrical portion, adapted to prevent the liquid in the receptacle from spilling or leaking. Also, that means are provided constituting a limitation upon the entry of the pen point into the liquid. These generic with a kit, package or container having a receptacle together with a set of gages or supports such as shown in Figures 4:, 8 and 9. .Thus, a user will be able to equip the receptacle with a support of a character to accommodate any special style of pen he may happen to have or purchase from time to time. And it is to be understood that in the forms of rests or supports, for limit; ing the entrance of the pen-points, such as shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, the slots thereof are sufficiently large to receive also the feeder with which fountain pens are usually provided,'the rest only hindering the passage of the end of the pen-holder.

Having thus described our invention,

what we claim and desire topecure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. Means by which a self-filling or pump fountain pen may be filled comprising a receptacle having a chamber for a large quantity of fluid and a well below the chamber for a comparatively small quantity of fluid and disposed at one side of said chamber, said receptacle having a narrow passage between the chamber and well, and a lip depending into said passage to prevent the fluid from rising above a predetermined level; and a horizontal, stationary support arranged in the well having an open-end slot terminating near the lip which permits the passage of the pen-point but prevents the pen holder from entering the liquid in the well, and admits air through said passage.

2. A meansby which pump-pens may be filled comprising a receptacle having a chamber adapted to hold a large quantity of liquid; a well adjacent the chamber adapted to hold a comparatively small quantity of liquid; an inclined passage between the'well and chamber, and a lip depending into said passage whereby the liquid in the chamber is automatically fed to the well and is pre crating therewith to admit air t rough said passage.

I OSCAR F. NILSSON;

JOSEPH BACHRACH. 

